The Davis Arts Center is a gathering place for dynamic engagement with the arts. Through multidisciplinary classes and programs for the regional community, the Arts Center inspires creative expression in people of all ages and fosters an environment for the arts to flourish.

Founded in 1959, Davis Arts Center has remained true to its core mission. Today, we offer more than 300 classes in multimedia art, music, dance, martial arts and physical wellness. We also host a variety of theater and music performances each year, including our annual Classical Guitar Series, as well as other fun, interactive family-friendly programs, such as Discovery Art and Junk 2 Genius.

We invite the community to visit the Tsao Gallery, which features diverse works throughout the year by talented local and regional artists. As a participant in the community’s 2nd Friday ArtAbout, we introduce each new exhibit with an artists’ reception.

Davis Arts Center is a private nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization governed by an up to 21-member Board of Directors. Funding comes from class and membership fees, individual donations, corporate and foundation support, and the Davis Art Center Annual Holiday Sale.

Davis Arts Center is also made possible from the support of volunteers. The Arts Center is always looking for enthused volunteers to help aide in the execution its wide range of programs; feel free to visit the front desk or email office@davisartcenter.org for more information. Both long and short term volunteer positions are available.

Members get a $10 discount on all classes. Rates are $30 for an individual and $50 for a family annual membership. College students and seniors (60+) can get a membership for $20.

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Comments:

2008-08-17 06:07:21 My daughter took a few classes here this summer. They were amazingly good classes with fantastically friendly and instructive teachers. She had a great time and I suspect the DAC is one of the better kept secrets in Davis that shouldn't be kept a secret. —WesHardaker

2011-02-25 03:23:32 The classes my daughter has taken have been great. BUT please remember to lock your cars and keep all valuables and bags with you. Thieves are lurking! —kimcatacutan

2012-01-12 16:58:21 Just got treated very poorly by DAC and Mindy Manville. Signed my daughter up for a musical on 7 Dec 11. When she went to the class on 12 Jan 12 they informed her they had decided to not let her participate. Wasted my time dragging two kids there and broke my daughters heart. And not a single apology from Mindy or the front desk who has not refunded my payment! —SharonHughes

This student did not meet the age minimum in an overenrolled class, and both our office and I called the family, spoke to the dad who apparently did not communicate our messages. We offered a refund, and apologized profusely. We sometimes accept underage enrollees in our Mini-Musical classes, but not without teacher approval and previous experience. —MindyManville

2012-12-01 21:27:55 Come out to the last day of the Davis Art Center Holiday Sale on Sunday. 72 fantastic artisan vendors, childrens crafts and delicious soup!! Brave the rain for some holiday cheer! —shellygilbride

2014-12-03 10:47:48 I wanted to let people know about my unfortunate experience with the Davis Arts Center, especially vendors who are considering applying for a booth next year at the Holiday Sale.

Last year I was a vendor at the Davis Arts Center Holiday Sale. This year I was again going to participate. Unfortunately I broke my ankle 3 weeks ago and had to cancel. It would be too much of a hardship on my family and friends who would be setting up and breaking down my spot along with helping to transfer me to and from the arts center each day.

When a vendor agrees to participate in the Holiday Sale, there is a contract in which it is stated that there are no booth fee refunds. The booth fee is $125. The contract does not go into detail as to the full meaning of "no refunds." (For instance, it does not state that there are no refunds for a medical necessity or a family loss)

I contacted the arts center on November 24th to tell them that I broke my ankle and would not be able to participate this year. I was told that there was a waiting list of vendors so the spot would not be hard to fill. I asked if I could have my booth fee applied to the classes that my girls take at the arts center. My girls are there every week taking various dance and art classes. I was not asking for a refund. DAC would keep the money in the form of future classes for my girls. And if for some reason my spot couldn't be filled, then DAC could simply keep the booth fee, no need to apply the fee towards classes.

I was told, "no," they would not apply the booth fee to classes. They would keep the booth fee to pay for the staff hours it would take to fill my spot. The new vendor would also need to pay $125. For one vendor spot, the arts center is taking in two booth fees.

I am very disappointed in the arts center's response. I believe that my request to apply the booth fee to classes is quite reasonable. I did not intend to break my ankle and if I could do the sale, I would.

We have been long time supporters of the arts center and the Holiday Sale. This year we will not be attending the sale. My girls are sad that they are not going to the secret store this year, but they understand why we will not be attending. We are also going to take a break from classes, which is unfortunate because there are some really great instructors and classes at DAC.

I have emailed the Holiday Sale director, Michael Azevedo, the executive director of the arts center, Erie Vitiello, and I have messaged the president of the board, Roberta Savage, expressing my disappointment with how this incident has been handled. I have not heard back from them. DAC is dependent on the support of the community. I am disappointed and frustrated with the lack of understanding from the Davis Arts Center.

2014-12-07 07:38:02 One of the main reasons I went to the DAC Holiday Sale was to buy Drippy Hippy shirts from Jen Brackney. I'm disappointed to hear that she couldn't attend because of a broken foot but more disappointed to hear that the DAC got two booth-fees for one booth. That makes the DAC look greedy because they profited from her getting hurt. There should be a revision to the rule where an artist can sell their spot to another artist. —StephanieTouchman